15-year-old Harvard student starts PhD at Leicester

Doctoral student believed to be one of the youngest ever to read for PhD in the UK

We are proud to welcome 15-year-old student Eugenie de Silva to our graduate body as she commences her PhD at the University of Leicester. She is believed to be one of the youngest people to read for a doctorate in the UK.

Eugenie, who is completing her Master’s in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Legal Studies at Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, has chosen Leicester for her PhD in order to study under the supervision of Professor Mark Phythian of the Department of Politics and International Relations.

Her doctoral studies, by distance learning, will focus on Denial and Deception in World War II.

Eugenie said: “My desire to attend the University of Leicester was fuelled by the fact that Professor Mark Phythian was a research supervisor at the University. During my undergraduate studies and graduate studies, I used Professor Phythian's work in my own reports - hence, I knew attending this University would provide me with a unique opportunity to work under a specialist and expert in my chosen field.”

Eugenie with her father, Professor Eugene de Silva.

Professor Phythian (pictured, right) said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Eugenie on this fascinating project. This is an area of ongoing importance, and Eugenie’s research is set to advance knowledge and understanding of it.”

Jackie Dunne, Dean of Distance Education, said: “Our PhD by Distance Learning is designed to open up access to doctoral study to a wider range of students, removing the requirement for students to attend the university on a regular basis. It offers a high quality student experience, using innovative online delivery and student support and leads to a PhD award which has absolute parity of esteem with our more traditional delivery route. The PhD by Distance Learning is becoming an increasingly popular option for students wanting a more flexible approach to doctoral level study.”

Watch a video of Eugenie talking about joining Harvard University as a Master's student: